New Diesel Fuel Not Required for Bobcat Equipment

Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) fuel, which is now being sold for use in diesel-powered on-highway trucks and buses, is not required for Bobcat equipment and other off-highway machines. However, it can be used in Bobcat equipment. This fuel, which contains less than 15 parts per million (ppm) of sulfur, is part of a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency program to eventually reduce emissions from nearly every type of diesel vehicle and equipment more than 90 percent.

Currently, in most areas, sulfur content of diesel fuel for use in non-road engines is not being regulated, reports Steve Neva, Bobcat international standards and regulations manager. One exception is California, where all highway and non-highway diesel fuel must now be ULSD. "You can continue to use off-highway or non-road diesel fuel in Bobcat equipment," he says.

Starting June 1, 2007, regulations require refiners to begin producing Low Sulfur Diesel fuel, which contains 500 parts per million (ppm) or less of sulfur, for use in non-road diesel engines, Neva notes. Three years later, refiners must offer ULSD fuels for use in non-road Tier 4 diesel engines.

The use of either ULSD or Low Sulfur Diesel fuels should have little, if any, effect on performance of existing Bobcat equipment models. Manufacturers of compact equipment, typically powered by engines with less than 100 hp, are not required to implement Tier 4 engines using advanced emission control systems and ULSD fuel until 2012 or 2013.More information